I have divided my story into parts because… no reason really. In a way it made my story seem a lot shorter and not so much of a challenge. There are 4 sections each consisting of separate chapters. This is my first attempt at a fanfic so… yeah… By the way, this is an AU fanfic to the Zoids: Slash Zero series but I'm planning on including subtle appearances of characters from the show. If someone has a problem with that, please tell me. Okay: I do not own any of the Zoids mecha/ characters. Also, any and all reviews are welcomed (except flames) so please submit your opinion. I really appreciate you reading my story so please enjoy.
Part 1
Chapter 1: Ace Team
It was a considerably cool morning in the middle of the Unnamed Dessert. The wind was blowing and kicking up sand, but six people in the middle of the serene setting did not have time to sit back and enjoy the scenery.
"Get out of the way! You're in my line of fire! I'm so close to knocking out their D-Bison!" Instantly the image of a young man with shaggy brown hair and dull gray eyes appeared on the screen of the Iron Kong's cockpit. The pilot of the zoid sighed inaudibly and shifted his weight so he leaned lightly on the controls. The Iron Kong plodded slowly to the right, obstructing the other pilot's view even more.
"Ryan! For crying out loud!"
"What? You said move. Sheesh, Lyle, make up your mind."
"I said 'Get out of my way'!"
"Oh, that is what you said." The Iron Kong proceeded to move to the right, much slower that it normally would in a battle, until it was out of the Gunsniper's range. 'Finally,' Lyle thought, adjusting his aim slightly and preparing to pull the trigger. But just as he was going to pin the trigger down a bleeping sound from the cockpit caught his attention. Someone was trying to contact him. Regrettably he allowed his seat to flip over and adjust to its normal position. He pushed a small, green button to his right and waited for the communications link to connect.
"Ryan! Gah! What're you contacting me by video for?!" The other pilot shrugged and closed the channel. "Why you-"
"Guys, pay attention." A Lightning Saix, fresh from immobilizing a Saber Fang, jumped between the two, momentarily stalling their argument.
On the other side of the battlefield, the pilot of the D-Bison waited patiently for his computer to lock onto his targets and for the words "burn out" to appear on his screen. With a cocky smirk he pressed the little red button by his side. Seventeen separate cannons launched an assault on the opposing team. The Gunsniper and Lightning Saix dodged separate ways, leaving the much slower Iron Kong to face the onslaught alone.
"Gaaah!" Irritable, the pilot silently sulked as the words "Command system freeze" told him of his Zoid's condition, though the rumbling and shaking of its fall told him long before he saw those words.
"Ryan's out. Lyle, you take the remaining Saber Fang. I'll knock out their D-Bison."
"Yeah, yeah." He grinned lightly and prodded the controls of the zoid lightly, taking off in the direction of the Saber Fang that had, up until now, been absent from any important happenings in the battle. With a couple of shots fired he had dispatched his opponent easily, and now it was lying on the ground immobilized. The Lightning Saix, though considerably faster than the Gunsniper, proceeded to approach its target cautiously, perfectly aware of its tremendous fire power. As soon as it was close enough, the black zoid darted behind the D-Bison and fired a mere two shots into its back. That was all it took. Battle won.
"The battle is over! The battle is over!" The judge announced. "The winner is… The Ace Team!" The Lightning Saix and Gunsniper came to a halt after converging near the downed Iron Kong. Ryan, who had remained in his cockpit until now, was walking over to meet them. Lyle was the first to jump down from his own zoid. The Lightning Saix's canopy had yet to open.
"Hey Rayne! Are you coming out or not?" The canopy then opened as a girl with shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes stood and looked down at them, and by the expression on her features she wasn't pleased. Her zoid had taken some damage from the barrage from the D-Bison, and she wouldn't have been anywhere near the impact site had it not been for her partners' stupid argument.
"What were you all doing out there?! You nearly cost us the battle with your ignorant bickering!"
"Hey, don't look at me! It was his fault for being in my line of fire!" Lyle pointed straight to Ryan, who pointed right back.
"Had he taken the shot when he needed to-"
"Don't try to blame this one me! You're the one who-"
"Enough!" She sighed loudly and sat back down. "Let's just get our zoids back to base and then head out to dinner, my treat as long as you all don't fight when we get there." The other two shrugged and then went to their respective zoids, Ryan doing a minor tweaking to his controls to get his zoid to stand again.
About an hour later, the Ace Team was sitting in the After Battle Eatery, ordering a large victory dinner.
"You know, we're always broke because as soon as we win some prize money we go and blow it on a large dinner…" Lyle sighed and leaned back against the seat. Ryan shrugged.
"True, but this place has some great food. Best place to blow your cash." Rayne smiled lightly in agreement. The door opened noisily and a man and two women entered the restaurant. Rayne clenched her fists.
"Look what the cat dragged in…" she muttered. Slowly the three made their way over to the Ace Team's table. Rayne struggled to keep her anger in check, although she knew everyone would appreciate it if she decked the leader one. He leaned on the table and glanced over at her, and then to the other two occupants of the table.
"Hm, hate to break it to you all but this is our table. You'll have to get up."
"Sai, go bug the crap out of someone else. No matter where we sit, it's always your table. In case you haven't noticed, this place isn't full yet, though it will be by noon. Go ahead and sit somewhere else."
"No, I think I like it here better." Rayne sighed and then shook her head, glaring up at the man she refused to call her brother.
"Why are you such a bastard?" She was calm, a little too calm. It irritated Sai more when she kept her anger in check than when she fought back. 'Why did she have to be my sister?' He glared right back and then stood.
"You know, I could always challenge you to a zoids battle, and kick your butts miserably, but I suppose it's best to treat your siblings with kindness." He knew how to rub their relation in. It was like rubbing salt on a cut. As if being harassed by him everyday wasn't enough, she was being harassed by her own self-centered brother. What a life to live. "Oh, wait… You still think you're better than me. Just because you hold the lame title of "Ace of Spades" for winning that piece of shit tournament where as I'm only the "Ace of Hearts." The Ace tournament was held every five years and the winners received the title of "Ace". The first place winner was crowned Ace of Spades, the second place title was Ace of Clubs, the third place one was Ace of Diamonds, and the fifth place winner was called the Ace of Hearts.
The Ace Team consisted of the Ace of Spades, Rayne, the Ace of Clubs, Lyle, and the Ace of Diamonds, Ryan, hence the name Ace Team. Ryan, though a mercenary for hire, made certain that he was available when the Ace Team was willing to pay. He valued being around pilots as good as himself. That's why he was always nearby, never staying with any other team for more than two or three battles. The Ace Team was practically invincible even in Class A. Without so much as another word the Ace Team stood, preparing to exit. Just as Rayne reached the door she turned back and shouted to Sai.
"See you at the next family reunion, Hearts." That nickname wounded him to the heart. 'I knew it! She does think she's better than me! That lousy-' His thoughts were cut off as a man stepped in front of him.
"I happened to over hear that you are the Ace of Hearts."
"What's it to you, old man?"
"I can help you gain the skill to defeat her," he motioned to the door Rayne had exited through, "and you can dispose of the largest threat to my team's ascent into Class S to face the Blitz Team." Sai mulled it over for a moment, turning to the two women behind him.
"Kelley, Kristie… What do you all think? This ought to be a Crimson Team decision." They merely nodded. He turned back to face the man. "We're in. What do we need to do?"
This was basically the introductory chapter. I had to make up a new tournament to make the title make sense, but it actually worked out pretty well, considering. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review! Thanks a lot!